Lineberger honored by Shriners

JOHNSONVILLE—Coach Lewis Lineberger was recognized as being named head coach of the 2009 South Carolina Shrine Bowl team during a special ceremony held at halftime of Johnsonville’s homecoming game last Friday night.

With members of the Johnsonville Flashes football team looking on, Lineberger’s wife, Dianne, helped him slip into the maroon blazer signifying his accomplishment. Robbie Jones, Potentate of the Omar Shriner Center in Mount Pleasant, SC, as well as members of the Omar Jail Birds Shriners unit were also present.

“It is special,” Lineberger said following the game. “You look at how many coaches have (been recognized) and how many good coaches are out there, it’s just a tremendous honor and you can’t say enough… I am extremely excited and I hope we can represent South Carolina to the best of our abilities.”

Lineberger becomes the second coach from the area this season honored by the Shriners. Carvers Bay head coach Nate Thompson was named as an assistant for the South Carolina squad in Sept. Both Thompson and Lineberger will travel to Wofford College in Spartanburg for the annual match up in Dec.

Earlier in the year, Lineberger was selected as the head coach for the match up that pits high school all-stars from the Carolinas against one another to benefit the 22 Shriners’ Hospitals for children around the country, including one located in Greenville, SC.

The game has been played throughout the Carolinas since 1937.

The win Friday capped off a busy week for Lineberger and his Flashes. The coach expressed his gratitude for those who have helped him throughout his career and for making the night an extra special one.

“Anytime you can win on homecoming and get an honor like the Shrine Bowl, it is a tremendous honor,” Lineberger said. “But I can’t take the credit, I have to give credit to the players who have played for me in the past, assistant coaches and all of the support staff.”

Growing up in Belmont, NC, Lineberger graduated from South Point High School in 1973, going on to attend Wingate Junior College on a baseball scholarship, where he earned his associates degree. His education also includes a Bachelors of Science in Education from Western Carolina University as well as a Masters Degree in Administration from Francis Marion University. He served as assistant coach at Hartsville High School for seven years, which included a AAAA Division II State Championship in 1981. Lineberger would later go on to become Athletic Director and head football coach of Hartsville High in 1984, earning four state runner-up honors. He was named coach of the year on several occasions by various athletic institutions throughout the state during his time at Hartsville.
Following the Flashes win against the Vikings last week, Lineberger’s overall record came to 199 wins and 117 losses.

The coach came to Johnsonville in 2005 to serve as Athletic director and head football coach at Johnsonville High. He married Dianne Davis and together, they have four children, Brittany and Mathew Lineberger and Van and Deanna Davis.

The 73rd Shrine Bowl is scheduled for a 1:00pm kick off on Dec. 19 at Wofford College’s Gibbs Stadium in Spartanburg, SC. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased by calling the Shrine Bowl office at1-800-648-2695 or online at www.shrine-bowl.com.